Apparatus for bending glass bodies



Aug. 15, 195ov M. Ausg l518,911;

Armmaron BENDING Gussomss Filed July a, 1947 4 sheds-sneu 1 Figi.. 9) l u (7' 8x f; @wfg [z5 612.7

lnvenebor: Maurice Mallge,

' His ATtOTneH.

Aug. l5, 1950* M. MALgGE: A21,518,918.

APPARATUS FOR BENDING GLASS BODIES Filed July 8,v 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figi-3Q 37 Frage.

Pgs.

lm/e'hftor: Maurice Manga M. MAUGE- VAPPAM'rus Fon BENDI'NG' Gun-ss looms Aug. 15, 195o 4'- Srheets-Shnt 3 l Filed July 8, 1947 @,W.. :wg W www@ n.1@ QA ,mwf a H M, ,U md

Aug. 15,;1950 M. MAGE.' 2.518.918

APPARATUS FOR BENDING GLASS BODIES Filed July 8, y1947- 4 Sheets-Sheot 4 wfl'. 65

l l 53'" n] kw 29 Invenflor' Maurice Magg?,

His Afflorneg.

Patented Aug. 1950 UNITED 'sf'rA'rE s PATENT'- OFFICE Arranxrus Fon isi-:Numa Gmss nourrisV Maurice Mange, Paris, France, assigner to General Electric Company, Cleveland, Ohio Application July 8, 1947', Serial No. 759,536

In France January 9, 1946 Section 1, Public Law 6to, rAug-ust 8, 1946 l Patentexpires January 9, 1966 frod to predetermined curvilinear shapes. Such apparatus is equally well adapted to reshape long tubular discharge lamps and the partially pre pared glass tubing for such lamps to variouslinear curvate shapes. i

The principal object of my invention is to provvide a readily adaptable .templet or form tofunction as a guide in bending a glass body in a heated and deformable state to various curvate shapes. The use of such a templet or form eliminates many of 'the short-comings and slowness of Jother bending operations heretofore employed which are dependent upon the ability of a skilled glass worker alone, or his ability in combination with the use of a specially made rigid templet or lform. If the glass bodyis in the form of tubing or rod only a very short linear extent thereof is heated and worked to shape at one time in either of these previously used methods so that considerable time is expended in shaping any appreciablelength thereof. The diversity of shapes of tubing and rod required 'is so great that the making of a special bending form is not warranted, with the consequent reliance on skilled operators and their limitationsin ability. My apparatus provides a bendable templet or forni which can be readily reshaped to a contour rendering it usable as a guide in the bending of glass tubing or rod of diverse shapes and which provides, therefore, .a convenient. and positive means of determining the bent shape of such tubing or rod. The tubing or rod is preferably heated to a bendable condition in an oven or by othermeans such as an electrical resistance element wrapped thereabout and is pressed against the templet so as to take the accurately `defined shape thereof.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a bendable templet and means suitably connected thereto and capable of ready and convenient adjustment for bending and retaining said templet Vin the `various curvilinear shapes required in bending glass tube and od. The desired utility of the bendable templet is provided through the use of means engaging said templet at regular intervals along its lengthfwhich means is adapted to offset the engaged portions of 'said templet to bend it to the desired shape. Because of the continuous extent of the templet and means of connection to the adjusting means it takes a regularlyy curved'contour and automatically read- 14 Claims. (Ci. 49-7) justs itself longitudinally within said means thereby avoiding sharp bends and distortion. Means are also provided in combination with the adjusting means for assisting in making the adjustments conform to the contourof a` guide either in the form of a line ora solid body.

Another object of my invention is to provide in combination with a readily shapable templet, means preferably in the form of a bendable platen for working glass tubing or rod into engagement with the templet to cause it -to conform thereto. The satisfactory use of the shapable templet requires the use of means of equal utility and reliability for bending the glass tubing or rod. To this end means are providedpreferably inthe form of cooperatively shaped means for bending the tubing or rod under controlled pressure exerted either by a weight or spring and such other controls that the tubing or rod is squeezed between said means and thetemplet and is not reduced in cross sections or otherwise deformed.

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of species thereof and fromftheaccompanying drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. l is a. diagrammatic plan view of a species of glass tube or rod bending apparatus of my invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a larger scale through a portion of the apparatus showing the relation of the templet, the glass tubing, the templet holding means and the tube bending means; Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic plan and side views respectively of a modification of the glass tube or rod bending ap paratus; Figs. 5,' 6, 'I and 8 are schematic plan views of the modified bending apparatus in various steps in the course of operation; Fig. 9 is a. diagrammatic plan view of a second modification of my glass tube or rod bending apparatus; Fig.

w10 is a side elevation on a larger scale of the indicating means associated with the templet holding means; Figs. 11 and 12 are fragmentary detailed side and plan views respectively of the templet, the platen, and the guiding and holding means therefore of the modified forms of the bending apparatus; Fig. 13 is a side elevation taken from line i3 in Fig. 9 of the friction means for retaining the platen holding means in place; and Figs. 14 and 15 are plan and end views respectively corresponding to Fig. 13 of the friction means.

The specific apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 provides a thin linearly exible templet I arranged perpendicular to the top surface of the table 2, and means comprised essentially of the roller 3 and movable along the length of the tem- "the guides 1 and 8 upstandingfrom the table 'I'he first step in the operation of the apparatus is usually the bending of the templet I which must .have a shape such that it 'is capable 4of guiding the glass tube 4 to the desired shape and is made by longitudinal adjustments to the rods ence of an objecV placed against .the templet I in place of the glass tube 4 to be bent or an object or guide line 8 placed opposite thegindicatingl means I Il mounted on the free ends of said rods 8. In either instance the rods 5 are adjusted longitudinally in the guides 1 and 8 and then secured in position either by adjustment to the indicating means I8, the details of which are described hereinafter, or by thumb screws (not shown) extending through the guides 1 ,or 8 and bearing against the rod 5. The bending ofthe templet I to a curvate shape effects a compensating longitudinal displacement of the templet Iin the guiding means 6 of the rods 5 which means holds said templet I between free running fixe'd and movable rollers II and I2 and rwhich allows the displacement to occur as required. Support for the templet I is provided in the guide means 6 by the flange I3 at the lower end of the spindle I4 whereas lateral stability therein is provided by the roller II on said spindle I4, which is mounted on an extended portion yI5 of the rods 5, and by roller I2 on spindle I6 which is mounted on an arm I1 swivelling on the spindle I4 and swinging about the roller II as the curvature of the templet I dictates.

Before the bending operation of the apparatus can be initiated, the roller 3 of the bending means which is mounted on the spindle I8 carried by the extended portionof the slide I9 is separated from the templet i sufficiently to allow theV glass tubing 4 to be placed therebetween. This movement of the bending means can be effected manually by moving the slide I8 to the right (Fig.` 1) in the guide members 28 in which it is held against the compression resistance of the spring 2I. The glass tube 4 must be preheated, either in a furnace f not shown) nearby or by an electrical resistance element (also not shown) wrapped thereabout, as disclosed in United States Patent 1,534,685, dated April 21, 1925, while resting on the table 2. In the latter instance, the glass tube 4 4and the resistance element are treated as one in the bending operation which is brought about by allowing the.roller 8 to engage the glass tube 4, or the resistance element in said latter instance, and then moving said roller 8 longitudinally therealong over the extent of the 'The roller 24 which is mounted on spindle I8 `maintains the proper space between the roller 8 and templet I to avoid flattening the glass tube back and forth along the guides .28 and 28 on the surface of the table 2.

The Figures to 8 inclusive refer to a modified embodiment of the bending apparatus of my invention wherein a shapable templet I, identical with that in Figs. 1 and 2, is provided in combination with similarly shapable means 21 for bending the glass tube 4 to conform thereto. The shapable ybending means 21 is comprised of a movable platen or templet 28 of a length correspending to that of the shapable templet I which I which are basedy either on the guiding Vinflu-- platen 28 is adapted to be shaped as required to cooperate in bending the glass tube 4. Because of the corresponding length of the templet I and the platen 28, the entire length ofv the glass tube 4 is shaped in lone quick operation therebyrethe rods 8 in the-guides 1 and 8 according to a ducing the temperature to which said glass tube f4 must be heated to retain its plasticity throughout said bending operation and thereby reducing the probability of collapse and injury during the heated period.

The procedure of operation of this bending apparatus corresponds to that previously described in that the thin metal templet I is first caused to take the shape which effects the proper bend in the glasstubing 4. Shaping of the templet I is brought about by longitudinal adjustments of comparison of the indicating means I8 on said rods 5 anda line pattern 8 (Fig. 5). The opposite ends of the rods 5 are connected to the shapable templet I by guiding means 8 like that shown in detail in Fig. 2 which allows the templet I to adjust itself both longitudinally and angular. ly as the desired shape dictates.

The next, operation concerned with the operation of the modified apparatus is the shaping of the platen 28 which ispreferably made of a thin strip of heat resistant metal and which takes a shape determined by the positionof guiding means 6' mounted on the ends of rods 29 at regularly spaced intervals along its length. The platen l28, the guiding means 8' and adjacent ends of the rods 2 8 are identical with the templet I, the guiding means 8 and adjacent ends of the rod 5 but are adjusted differently since the platen 28 engages the opposite side of the glass tube 4 from the templet I and therefore must have somewhat different cooperating curvature. The most convenient way of establishing the shape of the platen 28 is to place a substitute body 88 for the glass tube 4 in `its final shape, either a previously shaped tube or a flexible body such as a rubber body or coiled-spring, againstthe templet I and then adjust the platen 28 and rods 29 into agreement therewith; A very limited clearance can be allowed -b'etween the platen 28 and the substitute body 88 if desired. This adjustment of the platen 28 is easily effected as the rods 28 are retained inthe guides 8l and 82 on a carriage 38 movable towardand away from the templet. I and adust themselves substantially to the proper position when said carriage 88 is advanced to the limit of its motion toward said templet I, as determined by the stop 84. Friction means associated with the carriage 88 and only diagram-,

4` as it is moved therealong, a movement which is` 75 platen 28 properly shaped and separated, when the previously described apparatus it is ixnmaterial whether a heated and workable glass tube 4 isuplaced between the templet I and the platen `28 or whether said tube 4 is heated byanelec-fl trical resistance element whle'in said position; howeverfsaid tube 4 is pressed and bent to conform `to the `templet I by movement of the carriage `33 pressingthe platen 28 thereagainst. Guidel rails `36 on the table 31 assure movement of the carriage 33 to proper relation to the templet I in succeeding bending operations which are complete when the carriage 33 butts against the stop34. The platen 28 and carriage 33 are moved back awayl from the 'glass tube 4 `after sumcient` tlmelapses for it to cool and take a permanent set. A

*The `second modification of my bending apparatus which appears in Fig. 9 corresponds to the apparatus previously described in that a shapable templet I is provided and a shapable platen` 28 is mounted opposite thereto. Each cycle `ofzoperation of the present bending apparatus,.however, provides for the shaping of both the-templet I and platen 28 in the normal operationsof bending the glass tube 4 therebetween and therefore is initiatedwith both the `templet land the `platen 28 in substantially straight" form as shown. The templet I is held by `guide means 6 on the rods 5 which are retained by the guides 1 and 8 on a movable carrlage 38 and is positioned at an initialrest position by the engagement of the pins 39 in rods lwith thestop `pins 48 in said carriage 3B. The platen 28` is similarly held by the guide means on the rods 29 whichare retained by guidesl position ofsaid platen 28.

Theshape to which the -glass tube 4 is tobe Aben'tby'thefapparatus shown in Fig. 9 is, as in the other apparatus, preset therein; however, the

setting isfmade in a-plurality -of push rods 46 mounted inthe guides 41 and 48 of the vcarriage 49 whichrods 46 are arranged to engage, through movements of the carriage 49, the ends of rods 5 and displace lsaid rods 5, ,the templetI and platen-,28 suiiiciently to effect -the shaping. The rods46y are set according to a comparison of a guideline 9 and indicating means I0 andare preferably secured in that arrangement by thumb screws (not shown) passing through the guides 41 and bearing against said rods 46.

`Initially the templet I is separated some distance from the platen 28 since the carriages 38 and j 49 arecorrespondingly further to the left and ready access is allowed to permit .the plac-` ing of the glassV .tube 4 on the table 4l in -front of the platen 28. The` bending operation is .per-` formeirl by moving the-'templet I ltoward the plat`a`n`28 through the expedient oi' moving the movement `which vcarries theends jof the rods 46 thereof against the end of the rods 5 anddisplaces both the templet I and the platen 28 laterally as need be to shape the glass tube 4 therebetween. Guides 58-50 on the table 4I determine the direction of movement of both car-- lriages 38 and 49.` At the limit of movement and completion of the bending of the tube 4, the friction means 35 (to be described in detail) is adjusted to grip and hold. the rod 29 in place so that the templet I and platen 28 remain in bent.

shape during an interval in which the tube 4 is allowed to` cool and harden. The carriage 49 is withdrawn from position during this interval as Athe pressure exerted by the springs 44 or weighted means associated with-the platen 28 are prevented from disturbing the position of the vother pa'rts of the apparatus because of the resistanceof the friction means 35. After the cooling-interval'the carriage 38 is moved to separatethe templet I fromy thefglass-tube 4`which then can be removed :from thel apparatus; 'Releasing the friction means Ivallovvs the platen 28 to return to its straight position and prepares the apparatus for a succeeding cycle of operation. The present'modii'lcation is of particular advantage since the templet l and the platen 28 of the apparatus and the glass tube 4 adjust themselves in a linear direction to compensate for their curvilinear shape at the same time thereby avoiding a separate movement of the glass tube 4 and a possible deformation thereof.

Various details of the essential elements of the embodiment" and modifications of the bending apparatus appear in thefollowing figures, 4of which Fig. 10 illustrates one form of indicating means I0 which' is adapted for use with the templet holding rods 5`of the embodiment and the f first modification Figs. 1 and 3 respectively and the push'rods 46 of the second modification Fig.

9 of Y the bending apparatus. The indicating means I0 comprises a vertical pin 52 having a pointed end 53 adjacent the surface of the table 2, 31 or carriage 49 in respective instances which end 53 serves to indicate against a line drawing placed on the 'table 2, 31 or carriage 49 the position of the rod 5 or push rod 46. The pin 52 is slidable vertically in the end of the rod 5 or push rodv 46 against the friction of the spring finger 54 land can be pushed down by manual pressure against the head 55 thereof to embed the pointed .end 53 in the table 2, 31 or carriage 49 to secure the rod 5 or push rod 46 in place. A cylindrical sleeve 56 corresponding in size to the templet engaging roller II at' the opposite end of rod 5 is also mounted over the lower end of the pin 52 so the somewhat modied curved form of the templet I can be shown more accurately. The sleeve 56 can also function to accurately -position the rod 5 and templet l when a, body 51 having a contour corresponding to' the shape desired in the glass tube 4 is provided as a guide. In such instance the templet I takes the contour of the body 51 when the sleeve 55 rests against said body 51.

In Figs. 11 and 12 are shown the guiding means 6 and 6' associated with the templet I and platen l28 of the modifications of the bending apparatus in the relation they maintain during bending of the glass tube 4. Asshown both guiding means 6 and 6 are of identical construction, the templet I being supported and held in place by the head I3 of spindle I4 and the rollers I I and I2 whereas the platen 28` is supported and held in place by the head I3' of spindle I4' and the rollers II and I2. Arm I1' allows the roller I2' to swivel freely.

Aazsiaeie A detailed showing of the friction meansj which is used in `combination with each of the rods 29 to control the position of the platen 28 of .the modiiied bending apparatus appearing in Figs. 3 and 9, is disclosed in Figs. 13, 14 and 15. The bar 29 is engaged in each instance `of both modications by a rubber shoe 58 on a pivoted lever 59 which provides the means of gripping and holding said rd29 and by a roller 60 on a stud 6I thereby keeping said rod 29 in -place under the pressure oi' engagement of the shoe 58. The lever 58 and the stud 6| associated with each of the rods 29 of the modification are supported by an angular cross member 62 which is mounted at a ilxed position over the entire group of the rods 29 of the modification. In normal periods oi' operation the rods 29 remain in one position and are held by the pressure of engagement of the shoe 58 which pressure is the expansion force oi a spring 63 extending between the lever 59 and a post in the cross member 62 and which turns said lever 59 about the stud 64 v also extending from said cross member 62. The

friction means 35 of a modincation is released when the shape of the platen 28 is to be changed by adjustment oi the rod 85, which is connected to the levers 59 by the screw 66, in the direction indicated by the arrow 61.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus for bending a heated and de- .formable glass body to a desired shape compristable, adjustable means mounted on the table and engaging linearly spaced portions oi.' the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conform to the shape thereof.

2. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to adesired shape comprising the combination of a table for supporting the glass body, a readily shapable templet comprised of a ilexible strip perpendicular to the table, ad-

' justable means mounted on the table and engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, means mounted on said last-mentioned means at a position spaced from the strip and adjacent the table for assisting in the adjust-l ment of said last-mentioned means with respect to a guide placed on the table, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conform to the share thereof.

3. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combinationv of a table for'supporting the glass body, a readily shapable templet comprised of a flexible strip perpendicular to the table, ad-` the glass body, a readily shapable templet comprised of a flexible strip perpendicular to the table, adjustable means mounted on the table curvilinear shape, means mounted on said lastmentioned means at a position spaced from the strip comprised'of a movable pointed pin adapted to be forced into the table for assisting in adjustment of said last-mentioned means with respect to a guide placed on the table andto thereafter secure said means in place, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conform to the shape thereof.

5. Apparatus' for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination 'of a table for supporting the glass body, a readily shapable templet comprised of a ilexible strip perpendicular to the table, adjustable means mounted on the table comprised of cylindrical 4members engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, means mounted on said last-mentioned means at a position spaced from the strip comprised of cylindrical pins corresponding in size to the cylindrical members thereof for assisting in the adjustment of said means and indicating the position taken by respective portions of the strip, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conform to the shape thereof.

6. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapable templet comprised of a exible strip, adjustable means for bending said strip laterally to a curvilinear shape comprised of pairs of tlxed and movable cylindrical rollers on' opposite sides of linearly spaced portions of said strip and means swiveling about the iixed rollers for supporting the movable rollers, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conform to the shape thereof.

7. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapabe templet comprised of a iiexible strip, adjustable means engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to conposite the strip,`

form to the shape thereof comprised of a roller, resilient means for pressing said roller against the glass body, and means for moving' said rollei along the length of the strip.

`8. Apparatus for bending a heated and deform-able glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapable templet comprised of a iiexlblestrip, adjustable means engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, and means for bending the glass body against the strip to cause said glass body to coni'orm to the shape thereofA comprised of a roller, resilient means for pressing said roller against the glass body, a second larger roller rotatable with the first roller and adapted to engage the strip when the engaged portion of the glass body conforms thereto, and means for moving said rollers along the length of the strip.

9. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a, desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapable'tempiet comprised of a exible strip, adjustable means engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, a bendable platen located opmeans engaging linearly spaced portions of the platen for bending said platen laterallyl to a curvilinear shape cooperating withthat of the strip comprised of fixed and movable rollers on opposite sides of said platen and of means swiveling about the fixed rollers for supporting the movable rollers, and means for causing a relative movement between the strip and the platen to bend a glass body therebetween against said strip so as to cause said glass body to conform to the shape thereof.

10. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapable templet comprised of a ilexible strip, adjustable means engaging linearly spaced portions of the strip for bending and holding said strip in a curvilinear shape, a bendable platen located opposite the strip, resilient means engaging linearly spaced portions of the platen'for resisting deformation thereof, and means producing a relative movement of the strip and platen toward each other to cause a glass body therebetween to be bent to conform to the shape of the strip as the pressure of engagement of said strip bends the platen to cooperative shape.

11. Apparatus for bending a heated and deformable glass body to a desired shape comprising the combination of a readily shapable templet comprised of a flexible strip, adjustable means engaging and holding linearly spaced poi'- tions of the strip, a bendable platen located opposite the strip, resilient means engaging linearly spaced portion of the platen' for resisting deformation thereof, and means defining a curvate shape and movable into engagement with the adjustment means to readjust the` same and for causing the strip to press a, glass body against the platen and finally, through said engagement, to reshape the strip and platen to suchcooperative form to cause the glass body to be shaped as desired.

12. In apparatus of the class described, a mold comprising a flexible strip-shaped templet, a plurality of guide members comprising parallel rollers spaced to engage' opposite sides of said templet at a plurality of adjacent points along its length, means mounting said guide members for adjustment relative to each other in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the templet whereby to bend the templet to a desired curvature with accompanying-displacement of the templet within said guide members, and means to 1secure the said guide members in adjusted posiion.

13. In apparatus of the class described, a mold comprising a flexible strip-shaped templet, a plurality of guide members comprising parallel rollers spaced to engage opposite sides of said tem-- plet at a plurality of adjacent points along its length, one of said rollers being mounted to pivot about the axis of the other roller, means mounting said guide members for adjustment relative to each other in a direction substantially normal to the plane of the templet whereby to bend the templet to a desired curvature with accompanying displacement of the templet within said guide members, and means to secure the said guide members in adjusted position.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support, relatively stationary and movable molds mounted on said support in opposed relationship. each of said molds comprising a cooperating flexible strip-shaped templet and a plurality of parallel adjacent bar means substantially in a plane normal to the plane of the templet and provided at their contiguous ends with pairs oi transverse finger means spaced to engage opposite sides of the templet at a plurality of adjacent points along its length, means mounting the several bar means of the stationary mold onl said support for independent rectilinear readjustment upon deformation of the associated templet and means yieldably urging the said several bar means to their normal preadjusted positions, carriage means mounted on said support and carrying the movable mold and having thereon means mounting the associated bar means for independent rectilinear adjustment to deform the associated strip, a second carriage mounted on said support at the side of the first-mentioned carriage opposite the stationary mold, a plurality of bar means on the second carriage corresponding to the bar means of the movable mold and in longitudinal alignment therewith, means mounting the bar means on said second carriage for independent rectilinear adjustment thereon and for securing the said bar means in adjusted position.

MAURICE MAUG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 5 me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number -Name Date 608,905 Pilkington Aug. 9, 1898 991.025 Robier May 2, 1911 1,111,958 Goiiin et al Sept. 29, 1914 1,118,579 Pilkington 1 Nov. 24, 1914 2,208,958 Brown et al July 23, 1940 5 FCREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 845,786 France Sept. 1. '1949 

